Jonathan Ang brings playoff experience to Sarnia Sting

When the Sarnia Sting acquired Jonathan Ang just before the trade deadline, he became the only player on their roster who’s been to a conference final.

Ang went to the OHL’s Eastern Conference final last year with the top-seeded Peterborough Petes, who were swept in four games by the Mississauga Steelheads.

The 19-year-old centre has 21 points in 24 career playoff games, including 11 points in 12 games last year.

After arriving in Sarnia, Ang was asked about the post-season experience he brings to the Sting.

“Nothing gets easier in the playoffs,” he said. “It gets so much harder. Everyone plays so much better. The intensity, I think, just rises in general.

“I know these guys have been to the playoffs the past couple years. Honestly, the playoffs are all about winning and that’s what you need to do is win. And these guys know how to win, so it’ll be fine.”

The Sting have won all five games since trading for Ang, forward Michael Pezzetta and defenceman Cam Dineen two weeks ago.

Pezzetta has nine points in a Sting uniform, while Ang and Dineen have six apiece.

The Sting’s winning streak stands at seven going into Friday’s road game against the Niagara IceDogs (24-14-4-2).

The Sting will also visit the Erie Otters (13-24-6-3) on Saturday and the Hamilton Bulldogs (29-10-3-3) on Sunday.

The East Division-leading Bulldogs are tied with the Kitchener Rangers for third in the overall OHL standings. They’re two points behind the Sting (32-12-2-0).

Rymsha moves over

Drake Rymsha moved to right wing from centre when the Sting shuffled lines after the deadline.

His line now has Ang in the middle.

“It’s a little bit of an adjustment,” said Rymsha, 19, “but at the end of the day I’ll do whatever the team wants me to do. If that’s play wing, centre, defence – I’ll do whatever they want me to do.”

The move hasn’t slowed down Rymsha. He has three goals and four assists in the past five games.

The Los Angeles Kings prospect is tied for eighth in the OHL scoring race with 55 points in 46 games.

Konecny stars in OT

Former Sting forward Travis Konecny has scored in overtime in two straight games for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Coincidentally, both goals came 27 seconds into sudden-death.

The second-year forward has scored in three straight games and has 11 points in his last 12 games. He has 21 points in 48 games overall.